Public Employee Press

HHC pays back $11,000 after marking an injured Local 420 member AWOL

After the union intervened for injured Local 420 member Claudy Philippe, the Health and Hospitals Corp. paid him the $11,000 in wages he had lost because management failed to realize he was out on Workers' Compensation.

After 18 years on the graveyard shift at Bellevue Hospital, the Housekeeping Aide was injured last April filling a trash container. "The load was too heavy and I hurt my back. I reported the accident, went to the emergency room, and got shots in my back," Philippe said.

But when he got home, "All hell broke loose. I couldn't move or do anything. I called in sick for four days," he said. But instead of getting sick pay, Philippe got nothing. Although he filed all the necessary paperwork, he got neither pay nor Workers' Comp for eight months, he said.

At a disciplinary hearing with HHC management last October, Philippe and Grievance Rep Carl Jones pointed out that while managers had paperwork documenting his injury, HHC had recorded him as AWOL, absent without leave.

Jones and Local 420 Chapter Chair Wanda Johnson convinced HHC to correct their mistake. "In less than two weeks Philippe had the check," said Jones.

Going without pay for so long cost Philippe dearly. "I am so backed up with bills, I fear I may become homeless," he said. "My two very kind sisters provided everything for me. Now I am trying to come up with money to repay them and catch up on the bills."

"The union was very helpful and I am grateful and very happy to be back at work," said Philippe. Although his back still gives him trouble, he wants to carry his load. He appreciates his co-workers who help him and said, "We are like family here and we do what we have to do to do good work."

"Members should know that if there is a discrepancy in their pay they should immediately contact the union so we can help," Jones said.